At one point is it ...
 

[Closed] At one point is it accetable to go seriously ballistic at people?

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Riding in this morning through the delight that is Manchester City Centre traffic, the standard daily oh-so-predictable event took place.

Myopic idiot in car makes a cursory glance to the right at a junction, completely failing to register my presence (as I'm not a big square metal box, I don't actually exist) and pulled out on me, very nearly collecting my front wheel in the process. Ho hum. Usual stuff

However, he then pulls in to the kerb to drop someone off, then as I'm going past him, level with the side of his car, he pulls out from the kerb, forcing me into the oncoming traffic. Not even a glance behind or alongside him, no indication. Nothing

Cue: the red mist descending. To put it mildly - I went off the *ing deep end!!!! There was lots of hammering on his window and in-your-face screaming of vitriolic abuse. His parenthood was questioned quite forcefully. As was his resemblance to female genitalia. He sat cowering at the lunatic that, clearly up until that point, he'd been totally unaware of. He looked terrified!!

I don't usually bother, but nearly taking me off twice in 200 yards has to be some kind of new record. the *!!!!


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:14 am
 aP
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Unfortunately it really doesn't help to do it, but I can fully understand where you're coming from. Maybe about 3 times a year?


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:16 am
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I have been there and afterwards you do feel like you went off on one but at the time the adrenaline will be flowing and you have to rant.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:17 am
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You're note the only one....

Something must be up with the c**ts in their cars in Manchester today. Nearly got taken out three times on the ride to work this morning. Three f***ing times in 20 minutes. I'm starting to wonder if the forum on icouldn'tgiveash*taboutotherroadusers.com has a bet on to see how many cyclists they can take out in a day.

Either that, or I've p*ssed someone off enough that they had three contract killers out after me today....


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:18 am
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Hopefully he'll be more aware in the future now. If so then job done!


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:18 am
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its perfectly acceptable -if you nearly get knocked off you bike twice, by the same muppet in a short space of time, then i think they deserve a warning of some sort or another.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:19 am
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Perfectly acceptable imo. In fact I'd have been trying to drag him out of the car and kerb stomp him.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:22 am
 Nick
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In fact I'd have been trying to drag him out of the car and kerb stomp him.

you need help mate


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:24 am
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not my favourite but this happened to me
Car pulls out turning right from the off side fails to see me does it so slowly I could not out break them so I was forced to overtake them a sthey did it
They then overtook me about 50 yards later on a blind bend and then turned left on me 50 yds later without indicating.. i did as you did
Not clever
Not proud
Not sure it helped


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:24 am
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Just take your rage out on hora by roofie-ing his drink next time you're out and savagely beating him with a series of cucumbers, root vegetables, before finally launching a red cabbage into his heaving gut.

And send it to you've been framed.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:24 am
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what if you're actually invisible?
didn't think about that did you...


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:25 am
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No problem at all. Put it in perspective. He did 2 things in the space of minutes that could very well ended up in your death.

Hopefully your vitriolic screaming session may have made him more aware of his surroundings.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:27 am
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Good work.....sounds like it was entirely justified.

I once had a real go at a couple of blokes in a car who got in the wrong lane at a roundabout and literall tried to force me off the road so they could cut across me. They ended up stopped at the edge of the roundabout while I hurled abuse at them. They then decide to tell me in broken-East-European English that I shouldn't be on the road.....

As I drove off two blokes in a Transit who had seen what happened gave me the thumbs up. Excellent!


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:27 am
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I reckon it wams the blood and keeps you on yor toes. A good rant and rave is good for the soul.

I've had someone actually hit me (I stayed up) who then drove off even after I banged my hand on the side of her car.

Queue red mist.....
Engage persuit mode.....
Catch silly bint as she's parking her car.....

Big rant.... Best bit of which was "Where did you get your driving license? Out of a cornflake packet?" from me.

And breath....
🙂


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:28 am
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Big rant.... Best bit of which was "Where did you get your driving license? Out of a cornflake packet?" from me.

blimey, the rest must have been really shite!


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:29 am
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Nick - Member

In fact I'd have been trying to drag him out of the car and kerb stomp him.

you need help mate

What, to get him out of the car, or to flatten him after that?


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:32 am
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I got forced (with contact) down a left turn I wasn't planning on taking by a middle aged woman in a car who hadn't seen me. I saw the queue down the rode so I rode down after her containing my adrenalin and anger. I knocked politely on the window and asked "do you know what you just did?" She said yes and apologised, then started on some excuse about having just been to the hospital and was very upset about something. I didn't listen - to be honest, if you're that wound up don't drive, sit in the cafe with a tea until you are together - I just said something like 'keep your eyes open next time' and rode off. I could've pointed out that if she wasn't more careful then my wife could be the one leaving the hospital in tears as well as her, but I didn't think of that til later 🙂

Anyway the point is, don't go mental because that just gets people angry and defensive, and they'll not learn anything and just end up hating cyclists all the more. A few calm words is better. Do you know what you did wrong? Did you see me? If so, why did you pull out anyway? If not, then pull your finger out and concentrate on what you're doing.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:55 am
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molgrips - I just said something like 'keep your eyes open next time' and rode off. I could've pointed out that if she wasn't more careful then my wife could be the one leaving the hospital in tears as well as her, [b]but I didn't think of that til later [/b]

I too am a brilliantly witty person.....about five minutes after a confrontation.

Anyway the point is, don't go mental because that just gets people angry and defensive, and they'll not learn anything and just end up hating cyclists all the more. A few calm words is better. Do you know what you did wrong? Did you see me? If so, why did you pull out anyway? If not, then pull your finger out and concentrate on what you're doing.

I have to disagree actually. If a cyclist, driver or pedestrian tried to take the high hat with me I dont think I'd sit there and listen to a lecture. If a person went completely spastic at me - I'd probably shut up and listen.

There's a different personality behind the wheel of every car, you really never how "driver x" will react so I'd say just be yourself.

If you just wag your finger and tut, the driver will have forgotten two hundred yards down the road - if you let it all out they'll remember you and possibly excercise some caution the next time they see a cyclist.

[i]*disclaimer* I am no way advocating aggression or violence by cyclists towards other raod users. Cyclists doing so take their lives in their hands so make sure you're ready to back up your words.[/i]


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 11:58 am
 wors
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A few calm words is better,Did you see me?

Tried that once, when he said no, i saw red!! 😈


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 12:04 pm
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I have a very low threshold to drivers' stupidity, and am sometimes so enraged, that I can't even form coherent words. FFGGHHGHGHGHHHHHSSSSSSSFFFFAAAAHHKKINNCAAAAAAAAHHHHNNNNT!

I have been known to inflict damage on vehicles, and once or twice on the person driving. Not a particularly sensible course of action.

But I do find myself surprisingly calm, after a good rage, whereas if I suppress the anger, I find it nibbles away inside my head, for a long time.

Bit like a fart, I spose. Better out than in.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 12:06 pm
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I remember quite a few years ago someone pulled out in front of me. Bike right into his front wing and be over the bonnet. He got out and started swearing at me saying I had dented his front wing!

He then bent down to examine it closely so I kicked the back of his head into the front wing causing a nasty dent and almost breaking his nose. Not big, not clever but extremely satisfying.

When the coppers turned up to sort out the fight that ensued he asked me very carefully if I might have banged my head when I hit the ground and explained that I might have been suffering from shock and concussion so was unaware of my actions. Nice cop and I got a new wheel and forks out of the blokes insurance.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 12:14 pm
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WorldClassAccident -
He then bent down to examine it closely so I kicked the back of his head into the front wing causing a nasty dent and almost breaking his nose. Not big, not clever but extremely satisfying.

No, the clever thing would have been to put him away right there, thus avoiding the ensuing fight.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 12:17 pm
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Blimey, WCA, I never had you down as a mentalist hooligan!

Thing is, when your life has just flashed before your eyes, after a potentially lethal situation, you are not gong to be at your most rational. Couple that with a natural tendancy towards aggression, and you have a very dangerous mix. I have learned to be calmer in recent years, but just can't help myself seeing red, sometimes.

No, the clever thing would have been to put him away right there, thus avoiding the ensuing fight.

Being quite petite, I am all too aware of the fact that someone might be physically a lot stronger than I, and have leraned that the best thing to do, if faced with a violent confrontation, is to render the opponent unable to strike back, as quickly as possible. This usually means taking some pretty extreme action. One bloke was getting out of his car to have a go at me, so I booted the car door, wich trapped his leg. I kept doing this, until I was sure that he was now unable to pursue me. I suspect I might have broken his leg, actually.

It's pretty bloody shocking, tbh, the lengths you can go to, in such situations. I've found some of the things I've done, pretty sickening. And it's my propensity to anger and violence, that has made me want to address it, and be able to use alternative methods of dealing with a situation.

But there's times when it's 'me or them', and I'm sorry, but it's always gonna be me. Simple natural defensive instinct.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 12:19 pm
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Fek me.

Here's me thinking WCA was a nice bloke too....
😉


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 12:25 pm
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I only ride a short distance to work but I still have plenty of near misses every week. Venting some anger & frustration when someone's nearly killed you is a good thing but there really needs to be a big change in the way the driving public perceive cyclists.

I'm realising that bright lights and luminous coats are only part of the solution - there's a real inequality on the roads a lack of empathy. Quite often drivers see me but I don't seem to matter because I'm on a bike.

A reprogramming of the driver's mindset is the only way to make our cycling journeys safer.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 12:29 pm
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Hunt him down and pop a cap in his ass!


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 12:31 pm
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It was a few years ago and I was quite upset at the time. Plus it was in Portsmouth so that was probably considered quite mild.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 12:36 pm
 DezB
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[i]Hopefully he'll be more aware in the future now. If so then job done![/i]

Therein lies the problem. These fekkers are TOO THICK for the ranting to make any difference whatsoever.

One every ride for me though!


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 12:36 pm
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RudeBoy -

It's pretty bloody shocking, tbh, the lengths you can go to, in such situations. I've found some of the things I've done, pretty sickening. And it's my propensity to anger and violence, that has made me want to address it, and be able to use alternative methods of dealing with a situation.

But there's times when it's 'me or them', and I'm sorry, but it's always gonna be me. Simple natural defensive instinct.

Take up judo, brazilian jujitsu, submission grappling etc. You wont have such fear going into a confrontation so you wont react so violently. Also, you can choke someone out and by the time they come around your long gone and they have no idea what's just happened.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 12:42 pm
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Black Cab drivers and I have an ongoing war here in London... I hate the ****ers and they hate me (and indeed all cyclists from what I can tell!) The number of times I've been cut off or almost run over as one of these t0ss3rs pulls over to pick up a fare... it drives me insane!

My best instance was when one actually clipped my front wheel, albeit the lightest of touches (a second later and he would have collected the entire bike and most likely killed me!). This was due to him deciding to pull a left turn from the outside lane so as collect his next £10 fare.

I stopped and pointed out to him (politely I might add) just how close he had come to a major incident; he then had the audacity to abuse me and tell me to watch what I was doing, 'stupid effing cyclist, shouldn't be on the road, blah blah blah' and then he drove off with his passenger... to say I was stunned was an understatement!

Then the red mist hit and I was off like a shot in pursuit, catching him up about 500m down the road where he was stuck in traffic... at this point I was insanely overdosing on adrenaline and I simply punched in his driver side window and smashed off his side mirror! Gave him a serious serving of abuse for 30 seconds to finish and then sprinted off into the distance, never to be seen again...

I don't look back at it proudly, but I am amazed at just how angry I got in a very short space of time, along with the degree of violence I resorted to 😈 Honestly, if I'd had a gun I probably would've shot the guy probably!


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 12:43 pm
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Psychle, I totally, totally understand that. When someone treats you like you have no right to a life. Nasty, selfish, 'orrible ****s. And there are plenty of them, in that particular profession, sadly.

I'm glad that others are able to talk about their own anger/violence experiences here. Helps to get s aperspective, and understanding of what others feel. I certainly know i'm not alone!

What about a weekly 'STW Anger Management/Rage Counselling Group Session'?

Would probbly not be as crazy as it sounds, you know.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 12:49 pm
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Intersting, reading some of the above posts it sounds to me like people are experiencing something very similar to to being in a fight. I've been involved in numerous street fights and scuffles in my time none of which were big or clever, all of which I've gone into in a fairly blase fashion, not wanting to hurt anyone until I get hurt, and then I realise Im in a fight, my adrenaline gets going and that's when things turn nasty.

Being cut up or almost knocked off your bike by a car is potentially fatal for us. Through stupidity or lack of concentration these drivers are putting cyclists in an almost life or death situation - the violence that results is a pretty natural reaction to someone almost killing you. A surge of adrenaline and aggression - seems pretty natural to me.

Poor fools in their cars probably have no idea whats going on, or that cyclists are all mentalists.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 12:57 pm
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I ride a bike and I drive a car (like most of us I guess!). I have nearly been hit by a car whilst riding and have nearly hit a cyclist whilst driving.

I was approaching a roundabout at dusk in my car. A cyclist was approaching from the right. Most cyclists I see on the road do not have super-powerful lights and this guy's lights - being pretty much side-on to me - were not easily seen. Fortunately I did see him at the last minute and much hard stomping on the brakes by me meant an accident was avoided.

Now before anyone starts ranting at me, I accept that I could have been paying more attention and I did apologise with hand signals as best I could to the cyclist. Since then I have dressed up like a fluorescent 80's reject when I cycle on the roads in anything other than broad daylight. I look an idiot but at least I'm seen by a few more people.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 1:01 pm
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Slightly different but I remember a mate got knocked off his bike by some bloke in a Merc ML 4x4. He got up, chased after it and ripped off the wing mirror and started swearing at the driver only to realise it was the wrong car.

He looked a bit sheepish and rode off quickly before the terrified woman worked out what was happening.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 1:02 pm
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...that said some of the posts that are up here do suggest some absolutely idiots driving around down London way!


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 1:04 pm
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Not just Manchester - car pulled away from the kerb to do a U turn in front of me today - saw me just in time and stopped

TBH, the driver was quite cute and in a nurses uniform. With hindsight I'd have swerved into her just to get her details.....


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 1:06 pm
 DezB
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[i]..the violence that results is a pretty natural reaction to someone almost killing you. A surge of adrenaline and aggression ..[/i]

Well said.

Now where are all the "violence is wrong" lot. They not signed up for new accounts since Christmas or something?


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 1:15 pm
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well violence generally is wrong tbh, it doesn't help a situation usually, just makes it worse! I'm sure my cabbie didn't learn anything from my violent retribution, if anything he probably now has an even deeper abiding hatred of cyclists, nice work psychle 🙁


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 1:17 pm
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at this point I was insanely overdosing on adrenaline and I simply punched in his driver side window and smashed off his side mirror!

A Black Cab window? That's toughened glass! Bloody hell, you must have hit it with extreme force!

I punched a car's side window through once. Sudden blinding flash of rage. It actually went through surprisingly easy. And I was amazed that I suffered no injury to my hand. Sometimes, you're capable of doing stuff you'd never think about, when 'calm'. I threw my bike through the windscreen of a Black Cab once, after the **** turned left on me, nearly crushing me against some railings, and then screamed at me to 'get off the faahkin' road!'. You don't really 'think', you just 'do'.

Most of the violent incidents have left me quite upset. I spose it's part of being in a state of shock.

Dez; I'm surprised, too. mind, I think there's an amazing amount of honesty and sense being spoken here.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 1:23 pm
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Now where are all the "violence is wrong" lot. They not signed up for new accounts since Christmas or something?

The thing is I am not sitting in my computer chair what I would describe as an aggresive person, but when something happens to you that is life threatening just because of someone not bothering to look then anyone would react the way everyone mostly on this thread would do, we are only human.

In fact my husband warns me to remember that I am female and on my own when I describe something that happened on the road that day, what I have dangling between my legs does not occur to me when someones nearly tried to kill me whether it was on purpose or not.

Not much we can do about how we feel afterwards, if you do something in self preservation mode, it's usually the right thing.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 1:45 pm
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But I do find myself surprisingly calm, after a good rage, whereas if I suppress the anger, I find it nibbles away inside my head, for a long time.

I have to admit, I'm the same. I'm learning to control it but it does me no good, I end up angry for days with a little monster niggling inside.

I've been known to lash out at cars, then stop and give abuse to the driver when he got angry about it, but I fortunately have an ability to gauge who it is I'm talking to by the look on their face with first comment - regardless of sex, some people look meek and apologetic, they tend to get a calm chat (while I shake) and anyone who looks like I've interrupted their favourite tune on the radio gets a mouthful.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 1:55 pm
 john
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One problem if you go off on an (understandably) angry rant is that the recipient may cower and look all sheepish then, but they get time to think about it afterwards too. In the same 5 minutes that you spend thinking of that effective, witty comment, they're having time to think about it and then possibly just dismiss the whole incident as some nutter militant cyclist who obviously completely over-reacted. The more calm approach might not seem as effective at the time, but it might make them think a bit more after the event.

'course, some people are probably the other way around, and some are just too stupid for either approach to make any difference. Ah well.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:02 pm
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I was once screamed at by a roadie lady dressed like a banana, I haddn't done anything wrong her beef was "you fxxker you're too close the the kerb!" 😯

it was a straight road, merging into two lanes leading to a mini roundabout, I was turning left, I'd seen her riding up the left but given there was a car going straight on I naturally assumed that she would wait behind me, but no she rode around the outside and hollered at me!?!

That experience seriously coloured my opinion of people who dress in all-in-one yellow lycra.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:02 pm
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Black Cab drivers and I have an ongoing war here in London...

I don't see what the cab driver's race has to do with it? Those kind of racist attitudes are deplorable and have no place on a public forum.

😉

By the way, I don't know how you lot can all feel better after a shouting match. You never win, no-one does, and it's the futility and frustration of that kind of argument that upset me the most. When I feel aggrieved, I need to get my point across and be understood by the other person - that makes me feel better. An honest apology or admission, or even a bit of understanding from a driver makes everything better, whereas hurting or upsetting them doesn't (or shouldn't). People need to realise that other road users are human beings, and should all treat each other this way. What upsets me more than anything is the naked anger that flows with the traffic - no way would people behave the way they do in cars when they're out shopping or something.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:05 pm
 hora
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binners. This may help. Let me ride behind you in traffic to see how you filter etc? It would be helpful for tips from another rider? I stopped ALL undertaking for a start- never squeeze between a car and kerb and I 'command' the road, no hand signals- I point to the spot where I want to go etc.

Dont take the p1ss- seriously. I'll show you. since I changed noone rides close to me and no near misses or me asking people to get out of their cars for a slap.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:08 pm
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no way would people behave the way they do in cars when they're out shopping or something.

You've never been to my local Sainsburys then, or Oxford St for that matter! It's a jungle out there man 🙂


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:08 pm
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molgrips People need to realise that other road users are human beings

Hippy.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:08 pm
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[i]Slightly different but I remember a mate got knocked off his bike by some bloke in a Merc ML 4x4. He got up, chased after it and ripped off the wing mirror and started swearing at the driver only to realise it was the wrong car.

He looked a bit sheepish and rode off quickly before the terrified woman worked out what was happening. [/i]

Does this not speak volumes to you people?


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:10 pm
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Cheeky Monkey -

Does this not speak volumes to you people?

Um.....lots of merc 4x4's about?

Errr....that you can destroy people property for no reason and get away with it? Result!


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:12 pm
 hora
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I've said this countless times. You will have to be pretty hard to go toe to toe with a motorist that you dont see until they climb out. Rip someones wing mirror off or damage a car and you've suddenly changed the dynamics of the whole situation. If I didnt see a cyclist and had a near miss and he didnt give me a chance to apologise - well. I wouldnt stand by and see my property vandalised. Some drivers would go much much further, scarily-so.

Do you think roadcyclists get into angry confrontations everytime they go out on a 40mile ride? Learn to anticipate, treat everyone as a noddy ffs. Calm down and live longer. Is it a commuter-rage thing? Are you the same if you drive a car? Impatient?


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:17 pm
 daj
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I see a similar incident in Tetbury the other week, Row of parked cars down the main road. Cars coming the other way a roadie heading up the road minding his own and this beemer couldnt sit behind him and wait to get past the parked cars so pulled around him then of course noticed that it was going to be tight with cars coming the other way so just cut the roadie up pulling across him.

It was quite something to watch the Roadie went nuts ... punching and kicking the beemer as he was riding along ... The beemer driver not engaging at all just pretending that nothing was happening .... Me and the Mrs cheering for the Roadie ....


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:20 pm
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Rip someones wing mirror off or damage a car and you've suddenly changed the dynamics of the whole situation

I agree. Shouting is one thing, but the second you make it physical you are immediately stepping it up a level. It's also criminal damage and it's impossible to argue that your actions justified this response.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:24 pm
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By the way, I don't know how you lot can all feel better after a shouting match

That's because you are different. Some people are just wired up a bit tight, and are naturally aggressive. One of the positive aspects of being like that, is that some people can also be very good 'under fire', and do things when 'thinking about it' would be detrimental. IE, running into a burning building or something. It's because this type of mind possibly shuts off the 'consequences' section, and just runs on instinct, to do what is necessary.

Fact is, that cyclists are perceived to be mostly quite peaceful, I think, and it's a shock when they aren't. Some selfish/aggressive drivers might subconsciously expect cyclists to back down, so it can come as quite a shock, when they don't.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:25 pm
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[rolls back eyes so only whites are visible, pauses for 3 mins to reflect]Velly interesting grasshopper. I recall the blind bloke on kung fu would advise glasshopper that violence is NEVER the answer. This was usually just before Kung Fu unleashed massive and nifty fist and footwork retributions which was the whole point of watching the programme anyway. Wahoo!

Negative consequences of what you did might include: police trouble, the person you square up to could have a heart attack and die leaving kids as orphans and no one to feed the hamster, they might turn out to be a psychopath and sort you good an proper. There is always a better way, you need to stay calm, reflective, think through your options and work this out. Ho ho ho. You know this already, have said so in fact.

Reality is sometimes when someone does something v bad on us, like nearly wipe us out on our bikes, we lose control, we rant we might even lash out physically cos it just makes us feel better. In that heated moment our adrenaline rises, we are now subconsciously thinking fight or flight.

The fight "instinct" is strongly tempered if the perpetrator was a great big v hard looking monster with love and hate tattoed on his knuckles and an expression that suggests he may relish pounding us into pulp as it's his hobby. (Incidentally, noticed a lot of these have cars with "fighting crime, protecting people" on the side?). I'd be interested to hear if anyone has KNOWINGLY squared up to this type of person in bike rage? I flipping well wouldn't! Shows how instinctive it really is though if we pick our targets?

Entirely understandable, tis human, we all do it, me included.

Doesn't make it right though, does it glasshopper?

s****....


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:26 pm
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[i]" ... ripped off the wing mirror and started swearing at the driver [u]only to realise it was the wrong car[/u].

He [u]looked a bit sheepish and rode off quickly[/u] before the [u]terrified woman[/u] worked out what was happening."[/i]

Getting any hints yet?


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:27 pm
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Do you think roadcyclists get into angry confrontations everytime they go out on a 40mile ride?

From discussions with a couple of pro roadies I know, yup.

Still, calming down is a good idea. I agree, as a driver I'd like the chance to apologise if I've made a mistake, especially if that mistake were questionable as a mistake (as with banana comment above). Still doesnt help when the red mist descends.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:28 pm
 hora
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I made a gesture etc at a BMW 750. Lad stopped in the middle of the road, jumped out and was pumping my hand and apologising profusely for cutting me up. A shaved-head very large Scouse lad. I had an open-mouth, it was that quick. He could easily have belted me off the bike but he didnt. When he drove off I was still in the same spot with my mouth still wide open.

Imagine I had hit his car? I'd have gone down like a sack of shit.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:28 pm
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I can't beleive you let FlexGirl say [i] what I have dangling between my legs does not occur to me when someones nearly tried to kill me [/i] without asking what SHE has dangling between her legs?

Pics!?!


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:28 pm
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I was pulling out of a street side parking spot in my car the other day. I couldn't see anything in my mirror (or by turning around) because of the low sun.
So, I pulled out really slowly. As I was doing so, some guy on a bike came past and started shouting a swearing at me.

I almost got out of the car an owned him with a pair of bombers I had on the passenger seat.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:29 pm
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I wouldnt stand by and see my property vandalised. Some drivers would go much much further, scarily-so.

So the reaction by a cyclist, to almost being killed, possibly, is somehow less comprehensible than someone who's car's being damaged??

So you can almost kill me, and I should stay calm, but I kick your motor (causing **** all real damage, usually), and that's grounds for attacking me?

I'd take you down, anyway, Hora. Binners says you're as soft as shite. 😉


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:29 pm
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I agree. Shouting is one thing, but the second you make it physical you are immediately stepping it up a level. It's also criminal damage and it's impossible to argue that your actions justified this response.

My brother once punched out the side window of a car that was in teh process of running him off the road. He got the reg, called the police and the police took him round to the guys house and forced the guy to apologise and told him the window was his own problem.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:30 pm
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but I kick your motor (causing **** all real damage, usually)

Kicking a car causes **** all damage? Get real! You're either the worlds most feable beanpole of a person or you're living a dreamworld. Anyone kicking my car would get the raw end of the stick that is me, even if I had to stop in traffic to do it. That said, as I said earlier, I have been known to slap cars on the window (no damage, flat impact just sounds loud).


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:32 pm
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Hora. Shut the **** up!!! If I was in a car and saw you pointing to where you want to go, I'd slam it in reverse and take you out on general principle. Then run you over again just to make sure!!

🙂


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:33 pm
 hora
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binners, I'd easily dodge your Czech tractor. Its like a sodding Ocean-liner interms of turning circle... 😆


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:36 pm
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Kicking a car causes **** all damage?

Erm, not compared to smashing someone's spine, no...

Leaves a dent, at worst. Won't prevent the car from running properly. RPG into the engine might...

BTW, I don't think us 'angry young men' are condoning violence in any way; merely trying to explain why we are compelled to act in a violent manner, when we feel our safety is being threatened.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:37 pm
 hora
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[i]BTW, I don't think us 'angry young men' are condoning violence in any way; merely trying to explain why we are compelled to act in a violent manner, when we feel our safety is being threatened.[/i]

Man or woman accidently swerves into your car causing an accident. So you would get out, pull them out of the car and thoroughly kick them senseless I bet? That will teach ya for causing an accident yer slaaarg. See that word 'accident'? What does it mean? Without malice? If its without malice how can you prejudge? Would you first check the lighting conditions, are you visible enough? roadlit properly? Bad conditions? Adverse lighting etc?

Or should you grow up?


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:40 pm
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If you're Christian Bale you can go ballistic when someone walks across the set. NSFW

[url=

Rant[/url]

and the rather good remix

[url=

Remix[/url]


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:40 pm
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snowslave -

The fight "instinct" is strongly tempered if the perpetrator was a great big v hard looking monster with love and hate tattoed on his knuckles and an expression that suggests he may relish pounding us into pulp as it's his hobby. (Incidentally, noticed a lot of these have cars with "fighting crime, protecting people" on the side?). [b]I'd be interested to hear if anyone has KNOWINGLY squared up to this type of person in bike rage?[/b] I flipping well wouldn't! Shows how instinctive it really is though if we pick our targets?

Years ago, on my way back from JKD class I got blatantly cut up by a guy driving a people carrier. He almost drove over the top of me to turn left. I screamed and shouted and made various hand gestures (the use your indicators gesture). The car came to an abrupt halt, and out stepped a huge guy, about 6'3 and 18 stone with a boxers nose. He challenged me to stop and come to him which I did. We squared up and stood very cagily shouting at each other about 4 feet apart. People round about were looking pretty stunned.

He definately wanted a piece of me, and I him. What he didnt realise was I was armed with nunchaku at the time and was contemplating using them to negate the size difference - my heart is pumping hard just remembering this.

It quickly developed into a stalemate as neither of us would attack the other - like myself, he was probably keen not be seen as the instigator. We backed off and went our seperate ways.

hora - =

Man or woman [b]accidently[/b] swerves into your car causing an [b]accident[/b]. So you would get out, pull them out of the car and thoroughly kick them senseless I bet? That will teach ya for causing an accident yer slaaarg. See that word 'accident'? What does it mean? Without malice? If its without malice how can you prejudge? Would you first check the lighting conditions, are you visible enough? roadlit properly? Bad conditions? Adverse lighting etc?

Or should you grow up?

Police have stopped using the word accident in favour of collision. Accident implies no fault - which is rarely the case.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:41 pm
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Just to labour the point - I understand in the heat of the moment judgement may be clouded, but not to the degree we first assess whether the object of our anger is a meat head liable to kick our heads clean off. Which says much...


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:42 pm
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Erm, not compared to smashing someone's spine, no...

Leaves a dent, at worst

The spine isnt part of the question, this was an accident that was avoided - there is no need to then do damage. If someone had knocked you off, broken your spine and THEN you try to damage the car, I can see it (well, sort of!) but doing it when things have been avoided really is just childish.

Leaves a dent, likely a scratch too, on something that costs a significant amount and likely reduces the resale value - while you may not consider it important, they may then choose to consider you unimportant and get out and make sure your spine is broken. Respect other peoples property, they may have made a genuine mistake and be thoroughly sorry about it, yet you go on to cause futher damage - zero point.

Still, we know you're in need of anger management classes already so I'll stop there before I get caught in a pointless argument!


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:44 pm
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Accident implies no fault - which is rarely the case.

Accident does not imply no fault, there is always fault in accidents, but fault does not mean the person INTENDED to cause injury/damage etc.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:46 pm
 hora
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TBH if any bad cyclist cuts me and challenges me, I'd be climbing out of my car armed with my cat o nine tails and trusty attack-Parrot. Seriously, come and get-some. My Parrot has a sharpened razor-beak and mini laser-cannons mounted on its wings.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:46 pm
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No, coffeeking; what I mean is, when some **** is being a ****, deliberately putting you in danger. I wouldn't boot someone's car, if I felt they had genuinely made a mistake, although I have done that if i am about to be crushed on their inside, to make them steer away and not kill me. That's an accepted emergency procedure. And banging on their roof.

Most of the damage I've inflicted has come after the driver has shown direct disregard to my safety and right to be on the road, once challenged by me.

'Scuse me mate, you nearly had me off back there, try to look out for other people please.'
'**** off you ****!'

Bosh!

That type of situation, I'm talking about. Booting someone's car is definitely preferable to booting their face, and also carries a far lesser sentence.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:50 pm
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Hora, you'd be cowering in your seat, having shat yourself...


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:51 pm
 hora
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Are the people who kick/hit cars also the same ones who will throw stones at house windows at night then run off?


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:52 pm
 hora
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Err Rudeboy no. My Parrot is trained to kill.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:54 pm
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hora - Member
Are the people who kick/hit cars also the same ones who will throw stones at house windows at night then run off?

No, we are the people who go and confront them.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:57 pm
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My Ninja Ferret would rip off your Parrot's head, and sh1t down it's neck...


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:57 pm
 hora
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Rudeboy, as your ninja Ferret is busy I would be swooping in with my cat o' nine tails.


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:59 pm
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Ooops sorry, posted that before I saw your point Gnar Gnar. I think the significance here is you were prepared for a show down in the knowledge that you have the kung fu powers and erm weapons(!!!) to take on even a big psycho, so irrespective of who steps out of the car you feel confident you can handle them physically if necessary. Kind of exceptional circumstances which doesn't disprove my point I think. Do you think if you didn't have the kung fu skills and you had seen the size of the guy you would still have done that?


 
Posted : 04/02/2009 2:59 pm
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